The Dumaguete City government terminated the contract of 22 job-order employees assigned at the city transport terminal, effective August 1, after the facility is still not being operated, after the six-month dry run.

The mayor said the services of the 22 employees will have to be temporarily terminated until such time that problems are resolved.

The experimental operation of the terminal ended in May, but until now, it is not operating because of alleged defects in the memorandum of agreement.

The MOA was among the city government, the Dumaguete Business Park Inc. owned by the Sy family where the vehicles will pass, and Robinsons Mall that spent P25 million for the construction of the facility.

It was approved during the public hearing on the fees that multicabs and easy rides pay P10 per trip, P25 for public utility buses, 20 - GT express, and P15 for public utility jeepneys. The rates were deemed enough for the operating expenses, and the salaries of personnel to man the terminal.

Questions were raised, however, on the extent of the maintenance of the road leading to the terminal, and DBPI wants to quantify the maintenance aspect of the road. It was also suggested that the city pay DBPI a monthly rental for the use of the road, and for the company to maintain it.

There were protests and vehement objections from drivers and operators about the fees to be collected from them.

The terminal was supposed to start full-blast operation in June.*JG

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